SF Loses 14,000 Parking Spaces Starting Today (Thanks to “Daylighting”)
San Francisco’s New Daylighting Law Means Major Parking Changes—and Fines Starting in January
Starting today, Monday, November 11, 2024, San Francisco drivers are facing a new parking rule: if you park too close to an crosswalk (whether it’s marked or not, and even if the curb isn’t red), you might find a written warning tucked under your windshield wiper.
The city is removing roughly 14,000 parking spaces (about 5% of all street spots), it’s all part of California’s new “Daylighting Law” (AB 413), aimed at giving pedestrians and drivers a clearer view at intersections—and safer streets overall.
Passed last year, the law says drivers must park at least 20 feet away from crosswalks, both marked and unmarked, to improve sight lines at intersections. Starting January 1, 2025, warnings will turn into $40 fines, so it’s time to make this new parking practice second nature.
How you can avoid a warning or citation
- Think “One-Car-Length Rule”: The magic number is 20 feet (or about one parking space) between your car and any crosswalk on the approach side. If there’s no red curb, the rule still applies.
- The rules apply even if the curb isn’t red and even if the crosswalk isn’t marked
- Watch for Red Curbs: If a curb is painted red, follow its specific distance—daylighting applies only if no red curb is present.
Practical Tips to Stay Ticket-Free
- Imagine a Full Car-Length: If there’s no red curb, visualize one car length between you and any crosswalk ahead.
- Warnings start November 11, 2024 – starting today, you’ll only get a warning
- Mark January 1 on Your Calendar: Warnings will roll out until New Year’s, but the real fines begin in 2025. Start building the habit now to avoid paying up later.
What about One Way Streets?
- For Two-Way Streets, Rules only applies to the direction of approaching traffic – if you’re parking before the crosswalk the new rules always apply. If you’re parking after the crosswalk (with the crosswalk behind you) then there is no 20 foot rule. (And no… you can’t park against the flow of traffic to get around the rule)
- For One-Way Streets – Rules apply to both sides: Keep a 20-foot distance on both sides of the street approaching a crosswalk. On two-way streets, the daylighting rule affects only the right side.
This law brings California in line with over 40 other states that have long required daylighting at intersections. It may take some getting used to, but the goal is safer streets for pedestrians and drivers alike—especially in a city known for its bustling intersections and diverse mix of foot, car, and bike traffic.
Learn more about San Francisco’s “Daylighting” Rules
